Colorado

[dennarahl]

My mistake for suggesting we start them early inside...should have known it would be more than 4 weeks.

We started ours early too. They were inside for about 4 weeks and now they're in the garage. The coop still isn't 100% done, but our packing peanut boys are being crash test dummies in it right now. We want to make sure it's secure and warm enough before the girls go out. With spring getting an early start, we haven't had a problem with warmth.

 

[gardendufus]

OK, not to rub u guys nose in it.......BUT.........

Finished coop (enough to stuff my brooder and new chicks in it) Feb 29 (I had to work some REALLY cold days to get that done, and dig thru frozen ground to do this cuz I have a sub ground level dirt floor. Picked up first chicks Mar 2. Since then I put up the fencing for the run (I can't freerange), put up the hardware cloth skirting (2' high, 2' buried apron). Yesterday I installed the Pullet-shut Automatic Door (So far I love this thing, pricey, but so easy for an ignorant old woman to install, solar powered and with a light sensor). Today I put up the bird netting, and made a ramp for the girls to get out. All I have left is to build a roost, which I will do TOMORROW, cuz I'm kicking the girls OUT of the coop so I can do the construction on it inside. THEN, I WILL BE FINISHED!!!

Chicks have been outside since day one, no chicky smells in here. Supposed to be like 80-82 here Tomorrow and Saturday, perfect weather for the girls to be experiencing the great outdoors for the first time. What a relief to have it almost done. These old bones are so tired of climbing ladders, sawing wood, MEASURING everything and it still not working out right, just want some time to just sit and watch for awhile.

Things left to do: Roost, will check off tomorrow. Make drip waterers (I've ruined 2 pitchers trying to do this, just don't seem to have the strength to push the little buggers in) and make a bucket feeder or two.

Oh, One of my Black Australorps is looking a little roo-ish to me. Comb seems to have started growing much faster than the other BA or the 2 BR's I have. Also seems to have a rosier color than the others. At 4 weeks I think it's probably too soon to panic, but since I can't have roosters, if it does turn out to be a Roo, does anyone want to give it a home.......for free?

 

[ttclan]

So jealous...I was just in the coop measuring for roosts. We have way too many projects around here to get done and not enough time to do them in.

I have current hens in the tiniest coop - not sure what the previous owners were thinking (we inherited 24 plus coop last year). Some day it will make a great brooder, if I don't move ducks into it.

They will be staying put until my babies are big enough. The babies will get the new coop soon. My hope is that when I integrate them all, the babies will have a little "upper hand" in that they older gals will be moving and a bit upset with the move. We'll see. I hope to get the old coop moved closer to the new one either way so that they have some time to see each other. Maybe even free range them together while watching over them.

It's getting there, but wish it was done weeks ago like planned.

Then we have to build a goat barn. Oh, wait, fence needs to be put up, then the goat barn.

Then, I need a cookstove in the cabin so I can have a kitchen, a bathroom for obvious reasons, and some type of water system also for obvious reasons...along with a multitude of other things.

At this rate, I'm not holding out on the last three for many, many more months!

Some how the animals have come first...

 

[gardendufus]

Yeah, doesn't it seem that for every item to do that you check OFF your list suddenly 2 or 3 more appear on the bottom? And then you realize that somehow the list order is completely wrong?

 

[dennarahl]

gardendufus, im interested in how youre making the drip waterers, do you have a link or anything about how youre doing it?

(sorry for the bad punctuation, etc. I'm holding a 5 week old chick in one hand and typing with the other.)

 

[ttclan]

Yeah, doesn't it seem that for every item to do that you check OFF your list suddenly 2 or 3 more appear on the bottom? And then you realize that somehow the list order is completely wrong?

Absolutely...and my poor hubby and helper are constantly frustrated with me since that list keeps changing.

Dunno why?

 

[bretski]

I'm at my wit's end with one of my flock. My Wellsummer pullet (1 year old) is becoming a serious nuisance from a noise perspective. She loudly "crows" way more than what I consider to be acceptable for my backyard (read: neighbors) environment. This goes on for several hours every morning. It doesn't matter if she's in the run, or ranging in the yard. I'm at the point where I'm seriously considering looking for a new home for her, even though I know this will cause serious heart-ache in the family.

Don't know what do do to get her to shut up.

Advice appreciated.

 

[ryan820]

My chooks have been helping me build the garden. They live in the perimeter around the garden during the growing season and get run if the place during the off season. But this year we ... Well, I am going all out. Tired of mud, and wanting a more robust garden yield.

This isn't easy work!

 

[4CrazyEggs]

Hello all! I am in Colo Sprgs and am quite surprised at the amount of people keeping chickens in the city. It is really neat. Love the site, lots of great info. We are motivated newbies.

My wife, 4 kids, and I started thinking about chickens for their eggs a few years back. Three weeks ago we built a coop and run. We bought 2 EE pullets(8wks) and 4 RIR chicks(3wks) two weeks ago. I have been tweaking the run and coop daily since. I am enjoying it.

Unfortunately a couple days ago the EEs got snatched by a nighttime predator and now I have to enclose the roof. I did not originally plan on doing that but will have to figure out the best way to do it. Now we the 4 RIRs that are brought in every night until they are fully feathered.

We learn everyday.

Any suggestions after looking at the coop and run would be gladly accepted.

Can't wait to raise them and get some fresh healty eggs. The kids are so excited.\

 

[gardendufus]

gardendufus, im interested in how youre making the drip waterers, do you have a link or anything about how youre doing it?

(sorry for the bad punctuation, etc. I'm holding a 5 week old chick in one hand and typing with the other.)

Actually not doing anything fancy as I am only going to have 8 birds. Am basically following the instructions I found here: http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/slate119.html

Picked up some nipples at Tek Supply, and some old pitchers at the ARC (my store of choice for almost everything, lol).